Change of Hearts

Chapter 21

Cainta, 8AM

Naniniwala na akong fate can really be a joker sometimes.

I was catching up with my old team mates in La Salle way back in high school when Ly called me, panic in her voice, saying that Thirdy needs to be taken to hospital. Good thing I was only few blocks away from Ateneo so I immediately rushed without changing my clothes. Naabutan ko sila ng team mates n'ya all so worried while keeping Thirdy awake.

We waited patiently outside the ER, praying, and sighing with relief when the doctor said we can take Thirdy home and what happened is only a side effect of his medication and recuperating from amnesia. We took him home, and let him rest. We're all up all night taking turns to monitor him. Thirdy slept peacefully.

"So, what happened?" I asked Ly while we're having breakfast. I didn't have the opportunity to ask her earlier because I let her rest also with mama.

"Ayun na nga, nagulat nalang ako nasa labas na ng dorm si Thirdy." she started explaining while putting food on my plate. "Pinapasok ko s'ya ang winelcome naman s'ya ng mga team mates ko. Tapos nagtaka nalang kami na nakatitig s'ya kay Jho..then we found out na hindi pala sa kan'ya mismo pero sa teddy bear na hawak n'ya. Teddy bear ni Bea."

"Bea?"

"Yeah, and then may nilabas syang sulat. I think yun yung binabanggit mo sa'kin last time na binalik no'ng mga crew sa Tagaytay? And then tinitigan lang nya yung mga 'yon, tapos bigla nyang hinawakan 'yong ulo n'ya. Nagpanic na kami lalo na nong bigla syang umiyak."

"Wait, I can't understand. What's the connection between the bear and the letter?" I asked, so confused.

"Apparently, the penmanship in the letter also belongs to Bea."

It took me few seconds before it finally dawned on me. The pieces of information felt like puzzle forming in my head, realizing the connections.

"Kiefer..is it possible that the girl the crews were talking about is Bea?"

I gave her a look that says all the things running in my head. I was about to say something when our maid came to bring more food. We watched in silence while she's pouring coffee and juice for us.

"Yaya.." I suddenly spoke, realizing that maybe she knows something.

"Yes sir?"

"No'ng wala kami..may dumadalaw ba kay Thirdy dito na babae?"

"Sir?" she said then she looked at nothing, recalling. "Wala naman po sir. Kasi lagi lang po umaalis si Sir Thirdy, tapos umuuwi rin po late na—ay wait sir may isang beses po pala! May pumunta pong babae dito tapos binabalik ho yung ID nyo, nag-usap po sila ni Sir Thirdy tapos umalis po sila.."

"ID ko?"

"Yes sir. ID nyo po, naiwan nyo raw po sa kanya. Nakalimutan ko lang ho ibalik pasensya na sir.."

"It's okay, it's okay." I said. "But natatandaan nyo po ba yung pangalan nong babae? Or yung itsura nya?"

She paused, and I looked at Ly who also waits in anticipation.

"Matangkad ho s'ya..tapos..maputi. Maganda ho tapos inglisera sir kaya siguro nagkaintindihan sila ni Sir Thirdy." she smiled as she remembers the girl. "Tapos ho..saglit sir ha, nasa dulo ho ng dila ko 'yong pangalan eh..parang.." she scratched her head. "Lea? Thea? Hindi eh.."

"Bea?" Ly spoke.

"Ayun! Ayun nga ho! Bea ho pangalan no'ng babae."

Ly and I looked at each other, almost confirming our theory.